G. David Felt

GM is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. The heart of their strategy is their Ultium Battery Platform, powering everything from mass-market to high-performance and Luxury vehicles. GM is rolling out EVs under its various subsidiaries of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. Yet the focus here is Cadillac. GM President Mark Reuss, Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, UAW representatives, plant employees and other officials will hold a live stream event on Monday March 21st 2022 at 11am CT available: HERE As expected, March 21st is the start of the Cadillac LYRIQ production at Spring Hill, Tennesse. GM CEO Mary Barra had stated in the past that Cadillac would originally only produce 3,200 for 2022 of the Cadillac LYRIQ. Since then Cadillac has announced that due to demand, Cadillac will now build 25,000 LYRIQ for calendar year 2022. Cadillac has confirmed that they have received 216,000 customer inquires while not confirming how many confirmed pre-orders. Cadillac will open for regular customer orders on May 19th for regular, series production versions of the battery-electric crossover. The 25,000 LYRIQ to be built in 2022 will feature a single motor, rear-wheel-drive powertrain, rated at 340 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque with a 100.4 kWh Ultium Battery Pack rated for an estimated 300 miles of range on a full charge. All-wheel-drive versions will enter production starting in 2023 The live stream is expected to cover this production start and a more detailed plan on the commitment to Cadillac's all-electric future. GM has invested $2 billion in the Spring Hill Assembly plant to support production of Cadillac EVs. The facility is also expected to build under contract for Honda Motor Corporation their first luxury Electric Acura Crossover also on the Ultium platform. Cadillac to Celebrate Major Milestone at Spring Hill, Tennessee, Assembly Plant (gm.com) Honda and General Motors Sign MoU Toward Establishing a Strategic Alliance in North America (gm.com) Q1 2021 Letter to Shareholders (gm.com) View full article

Yes a little pug doggie that needs some refresh work. Yes I know you like this rusted look, but I would love to have it like new in a repaint.

Great that it has such good gas mileage, but one still has to wonder about the offset due to the particulate matter and Nitrogen Oxide emission that is produced by diesel at the tailpipe that has been contributed to lung issues. ?

Agree, Stellantis needs to ditch some of the dead weight models that clearly will never be profitable Global Models.

? Maybe a new addition to your Posse?

Seems Volvo is tying up with Starbucks to have Volvo branded DC fast chargers installed at Starbuck locations on specific routes across the U.S. First is the road from Denver, Colorado to Seattle Washington. Chargers will be installed every 100 miles to ensure that all EVs can get a charge anywhere. Volvo Cars explores electric vehicle charging network at U.S. Starbucks stores - Volvo Car USA Newsroom

Seems that Photoshoppers are already building a Truck version of the ID.Buzz and many are liking what they see. This Volkswagen ID Buzz Pickup Rendering Is Strangely Appealing (insideevs.com)

@Robert Hall Very cool pics of the auto's on your farm, look forward to seeing more. Guess you have your own Barn Finds! Amazing how good your dads 69 Mustang looks, was it also in the barn covered like your GT?

Yes you did and I think they were posted in the Random channel if memory serves me correct as Roberts brother died and he is cleaning up the family farm. @Robert Hall can better update you. I want to get my posse of auto's but with the constant rain and they need a bath, they are sitting in the Garage.

Fiat in particular was a mistake to bring back to the US, a very niche product that I do not see ever really taking off here even with the big surge in gas prices. Alfa was a personal live in the past project of the late CEO and the brand should have been left dead as it robbed billions from the US brands just to resurrect that POS of a product line. Those billions should have gone into the US brands from which they were generated, and they would be better today. Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler and Ram due to part shortages, I think this will slowly work itself out unless what is sitting there is just not desirable by the buyers and then they need to throw cash on the hood to get them moved. I think Stellantis will have a bigger issue with the Fiat/Alfa mess as the few niche buyers they had I feel are people that wish they lived in Europe or living in their past travels to Europe. Again, the quality and size of those auto's does not fit here in America. My take on it.

Being NY, I can see her having a Bronx accent rather than an Irish one. Course that Head of Hair is a tall tell sign of her heritage.

As I had posted in the past about Ford moving to a Build to order process in China and that I could see it doing it globally. It seems that reduced options and yes more build to order is the future. Ford F-Series May Drop Cab Configurations Under New Plan (fordauthority.com) Seems Dealer inventory is continuing to drop as Ford had only 40-day inventory on dealer lots at the end of 2021 compared to the industry average of 35 days. While they had more than many rivals, it has stayed at that pace. Ford New Vehicle Inventory Expanded In December, Beating Most Rivals (fordauthority.com) Average transaction prices continue to go up, Ford hit a new record with $48K. Ford Average Transaction Prices Now Up To Record $48K Per Vehicle (fordauthority.com) Interesting read on how Ford is telling the Dealers they will have to specialize and choose what they want. Ford Dealers Will Be Asked To Specialize As Part Of Reorganization (fordauthority.com) Seems Fixed pricing based on the changes with the reorganization could be the standard in the future as Ford looks to beat Tesla.

WOW, they were on top of this EV Concept as it was just released on the Audi Global Press Release site, even has a 3/17/2022 release date since it is still the 16th here. The storage champ - Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept | Audi MediaCenter (audi-mediacenter.com) This has the same standard 800V Charging system that GM is using on the Hummer, Porsche is using on their EVs as you get up to 300 km (186) miles of charge in 10 minutes. Official Press Release PDF file. MI_Audi_A6_Avant_e-tron_concept_EN.pdf This is where I do not get Mercedes, the EQS is supposed to be their top of the line and yet it only has a 150 kW charging system, so slow boat to recharge land. I understand VW using less expensive charging controller and gear so you have the lower charge rate, but when you pay the money MB charges for the EQS, they have set it up to fail from the style to the lack of leading edge tech. Agree with you @regfootball This is a WINNER in my book. Range up to 435 miles, 6.9 seconds to 62 mph, 469 hp, 590 lb-ft of torque, wow, aerodynamics of only .22, class leading minimal air drag. This has style in a way that Mercedes has FAILED as well as BMW to deliver on. Album of Images Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept | Audi MediaCenter (audi-mediacenter.com)

Saw this today in the Safeway parking lot as they show the cost of an equal amount of electricity to a gallon of gas.

Looking forward to the use of Solid-state batteries where we can get more power in a much smaller package. That should help with weight reduction imho. Thinking on this, Tesla says that the next Generation of Tesla Y that will be built with a front and rear mold piece and then the battery section that will now be a structural part will reduce the weight of the Y by 300 to 500 lbs. If all auto companies move to a mold process of the front, mid and rear sections. WOW will auto repair get possibly fast in regard to accidents, but also more expensive as they replace sections of an auto. 70-part section of the Tesla Y on the left Compared to the single molded piece on the right.

Yup especially the EQS, that is one fat jelly bean.

@Robert Hall @surreal1272 The amazing part is that like the Southeast, the Southwest is growing as boomers and near retirement people move there for the warmer weather. I happily let those folks move there and I stay here. Love my rain and Mountain Snow!

Interesting, seems more states that rely on power from dams on the Colorado river might have brown outs this summer due to the drop in water levels. Lake Powell hits historic low, raising hydropower concerns (msn.com)

According to the web site, 5,270lbs dry weight for a 1500, diesel 3.0L crew cab with standard box. 24-gallon gas tank, so another 192 lbs if the tank is full. Still I am surprised at how heavy this Compact BEV is compared to the competition out there. Just compared to the Compact ID.4 the Toyota Looses. ID.4 rwd is 4,698 lbs compared to the FWD Toyota at 4,839, then you have the awd comparison, ID.4 is 4884 and bZ4X is 5,016 lbs. I know that the Korean versions are also right in the same weight as the VW, so Toyota is moving much more weight.

Would have to say their long-term supply contracts help smooth out the bumps.

Interesting, looking at the pictures, I see the bZ4X I posted above has a charge port on both sides of the auto. I wonder if they are doing this to support shorter charge ports so you can charge from either side or if this is just a one off indicating that the side that is the drivers will have the charge port? Yet the auto above is a right side driving with the dual charge ports. ? I also have to state, I HATE that dash, so busy, cut up and messy looking.

Yet let's also include that GM raised prices today $3k to $14K across the whole portfolio of products due to increased raw material costs. Ford has stated they are looking at also increasing costs but no further comment. Crazy times. Expect all auto OEMs to increase prices over the next few weeks.

Toyota bZ4X is their start of catching up to the rest of the auto industry in having BEVs. Toyota announced the details of this new BEV with the following bullet points per their press release: Contribution to SDGs based on the concept of "home planet" Toyota's approach to carbon neutrality is "practical and sustainable," aiming to reduce CO2 with products that are easy to use and highly appealing. The TOYOTA bZ series adopts a BEV-dedicated platform that aims for a value greater than zero ("beyond Zero"). The bZ4X has the excitement of an SUV-style BEV, driving appeal, and is the first model of the Toyota's bZ series, which emphasizes safety and peace of mind. It will be launched worldwide in the middle of 2022. Toyota is promoting the deployment of BEVs in its full lineup, starting with the bZ4X. For those auto fans that want the fine details, here they are on their first BEV, an FWD/4WD suv. Compared to competition, much slower, heavier and very questionable about delivering on the battery range based on this info provided by Toyota. With the basic details done, lets hit on how Toyota is marketing this BEV and the message they are trying to transmit to the world. Practical and Sustainable Toyota is using this phrase to talk about their reduction in C02 emissions with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This they believe can be achieved by building a global portfolio of HEVs, PHEVs, BEVs and FCEVs. "bZ" Toyota's New Value Provided by "beyond Zero" This is Toyota's way of establishing the following four target values. You & Others In addition to comfortable cabins, Toyota bZ offers a new lifestyle and the opportunity to spend precious time with family and friends. You & Your Car Toyota bZ delivers the BEV's unique joy of driving and excitement at anticipated possibilities. You & the Environment Toyota bZ will not only reduce CO2 and other emissions―it aims to contribute positively to the environment. You & Society Toyota bZ aims to create a safer society where everyone enjoys greater peace of mind. bZ4X Vehicle Overview Cars that are more than just a means of transport, able to provide enjoyable time and space for passengers, with the "activity hub" concept Toyota bZ4X adopts a BEV-dedicated platform (first for Toyota) based on e-TNGA philosophy, to achieve impressive driving performance through a low center of gravity and greater rigidity. Performance Focused on Safety and Peace of Mind Details of the bZ4X This is an interesting area for Toyota as they try to copy Rivian with marketing this as "new lifestyle and the opportunity to spend precious time with family and friends." They say this is part of the You & Others section with a spacious, quiet, relaxing space, extra wide cabin, home-like comfort, a space to stimulate conversation. Seems the focus is on performance for safe, convenient driving. Heat pump AC, seat and steering wheel heaters, front-seat radiant foot-heating (first for Toyota) and they top it with a 150-kW compatible quick charging, recharging 80% of the battery pack in 30 minutes. Toyota then goes on to the You & Your Car, how the bZ4X delivers joy of driving and excitement due to the following points. Low center of gravity innovations Thin high-capacity battery pack placed flat under the floor E-axle, integrating motor, transaxle and inverter (a Toyota first) Electricity Supply Unit (ESU) consolidating charging and power distribution functions (a first for Toyota) Greater rigidity innovations Hot stamp materials used in key framework parts, adoption of a lightweight, high-rigidity body structure partially made of high tensile steel Enhancement of rigidity of various parts including around the battery pack, areas where the BEV unit and radiator are installed, and around forward and rear suspension Driving that leverages motor drive characteristics Agile response, sense of linear acceleration, high-precision output control (Lightening of acceleration/deceleration control and driver pedal operation, slip suppression control on slippery roads, etc.) Improved turning and stability through independent control of front and rear motors (AWD) Adoption of Subaru's AWD technology and X-MODE (AWD vehicle, a first for Toyota). Also, Grip-Control was newly developed and installed as a new feature for X-MODE. By leveraging motor drive characteristics, it is suited to everything from everyday driving to light off-road driving and more, achieving off-road performance exceeding expectations in BEVs Interesting observation is that Toyota seems to cling to the ICE age in poorly routed wiring and keeping a transmission tunnel that is used for the core wires. At a time when they are using a new platform built from scratch, this is a poor engineering design by not incorporating it into the floor better IMHO. Toyota then continues this conversation of a new driving experience. Cockpit that emphasizes meter visibility Meters are positioned to be visible through the upper part of the steering wheel (top-mounted meters, a first for Toyota) Emphasizes ease of viewing by reducing eye movement and enabling a distance point of focus Modularized driving controls including a steering column, adopting a wing-shape that promotes eye guidance from hands to meters One-motion grip*4 combining steer-by-wire system and uniquely shaped steering wheel (A Toyota first) Some models adopt the steer-by-wire system, where there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and tires. Characteristics of this are listed below Lock-to-lock is set at around 150 degrees, eliminating the need to change grips when steering, greatly reducing the burden on the driver for U-turn, garage parking and on winding roads The steering feeling is improved through independently controlling the steering torque that the driver feels and the steering angle of the tires. Steering characteristics can be changed with drive mode select Blocks unnecessary vibrations from tires and only transmits necessary vibrations such as road information. System controls tire movement to ensure vehicle stability when driving on uneven surfaces or when Lane Tracing Assist is activated One-motion grip provides more legroom, improving driving position freedom and ease of entry and exit *4 For the Chinese market, thereafter, for other markets, it will steadily be fitted on vehicles launched from 2022 onwards Dial type shift (a first for Toyota) Pursuing a simple and easy-to-operate impression Styling that expresses the innovation of BEV and the impact of SUV Based on the design theme "Hi-Tech and Emotion," we strived to create a form combining an advanced BEV feel with the inherent beauty of cars, aiming to create advanced and sleek, powerful styling unique to SUVs. Side view Aiming for sleek proportions and expressing an unconstrained silhouette that takes advantage of the long wheelbase with the tires placed at the four corners Front view The corners with aero dynamic items and the thin shape of the bumper expresses the uniqueness of the BEV. Also, the large hammerhead shark-like shape running from the hood to the top of the headlamps is uniquely iconic Rear view The rear combination lamps, back door, and bumper, which have the trapezoidal theme heading to tires, creates a powerful stance As many people have stated, styling is a very subjective area on an auto and the bZ4X is an ECLECTIC style to say the least and not necessarily in a good way, yet there are those that seem to be very smitten with Toyota's current styling direction. Latest infotainment system Multimedia system The bZ4X adopts cloud navigation that uses map information on the cloud to obtain traffic information and parking space availability information in a timely manner. Additionally, BEV specialized services such as driving support, charging station display, driving support display, and driving range display are available Enhanced voice-recognition function Also able to operate wipers and air-conditioning Over-the-air (OTA = wireless) software updates Software updates to improve performance are possible for the latest preventive safety package, Toyota Safety Sense, and the multimedia system without needing to visit a dealership Digital Key (specially equipped vehicles) With a smartphone, users can lock, unlock and start the system without screen operation. Digital keys can be handed over between smartphones, making it easy for family and friends to borrow and lend vehicles remotely You & the Environment Energy-generating BEVs Roof Solar Panel that can generate the equivalent of 1,800 km of driving distance per year. Proactive initiatives of recycling to reduce CO2 creation. Auto's that are built by reuse, recycle of materials from the outside to the inside. One can only hope that with the use of recycled materials that the interiors will be of a competitive quality level, yet the above picture of the rear storage area makes one go Hmmmmmmmmmm. You & Society Latest preventive safety performances Latest Toyota Safety Sense In order to realize the ultimate wish of the mobility society―"zero fatalities and injuries in traffic accidents"―the bZ4X adopts the evolved Toyota Safety Sense. By expanding the detection range of the millimeter wave radar and monocular camera, we have enhanced the performance of each function and added new functions to assist on ordinary roads. The aim is to prevent accidents, further reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, and ease the burden on drivers. Adopts the Toyota Advanced Park advanced driver assistance technology (with remote function) (specially equipped vehicles) Pursues Collision safety performance expected of BEVs An omni-directional crash-response structure to protect passengers, batteries, and the other vehicle BEV unit compartment is fitted with a cross framework firmly connecting left and right front-side members to boost collision energy absorption Two cross-members are located in front of the vehicle to reduce harm to the other vehicle Strong framework created at the cabin front to achieve full under-floor mounting of the battery pack Adopts a structure that distributes input load over multiple routes in a collision to stabilize and protect the cabin and battery pack in frontal or side collisions Battery safety By strengthening measures to prevent and detect signs of battery failure, and introducing new technologies, have adopted a design and multiple monitoring system that ensures safety and security in case of emergency Thorough production process that eliminates contamination, which is a cause of abnormal heating Redundant monitoring of battery voltage, current, and temperature to detect signs and occurrence of abnormal heating to prevent overheating Newly introduced the use of high-resistance coolant, which prevents fire from short circuits even if there is leakage of the battery's liquid coolant Newly introduced the use of a high-capacity battery pack integrated with the body to ensure protection in the event of a collision External power supply function DC external power supply function (Japanese specifications) Can connect to a power feeder to supply high-output electricity to homes and home appliances for outdoor activities, and during disasters and other emergencies When used with home solar power generation, solar power can supply electricity to the house in the daytime, surplus electricity can be used to recharge the vehicle via a power feeder, and electricity stored in the vehicle can be used to power the home at night More photos of the all-new Toyota BEV bZ4X can be viewed here: All of this is provided via the extensive press release at the link below if you are wanting even more information and is the property of Toyota. Details of All-New bZ4X BEV Announced | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website View full article